Frank Ocean is on track for his first UK number one album with his long-awaited release Blonde.

The R’n'B singer’s 17-track record Blonde arrived on Apple Music on Saturday and marks the follow-up to his 2012 debut Channel Orange, which scored two Grammy Awards and achieved critical acclaim.

Despite being made available exclusively on the streaming service, the album is over 4,000 combined sales ahead of its nearest rival, Dolly Parton’s Pure And Simple.

Frank Ocean at an event
Frank Ocean (Jordan Strauss/AP)

His second album has been anticipated by fans since late July when news of the impending release was revealed in the New York Times, shortly after Apple Music hosted a livestream on Ocean’s website.

It was further teased when Ocean posted a picture of a library book slip showing a range of potential “due dates” and a video of him constructing a spiral staircase.

Thanking fans for helping him to finally bring out new music, he wrote on his Tumblr: “I had the time of my life making all of this. Thank you all. Especially those of you who never let me forget I had to finish.”

Ricky Gervais and fans attending the world premiere of David Brent: Life On The Road at Leicester Square, London.
(Ian West/PA)

David Brent has also made a successful charts entry, with the soundtrack to Ricky Gervais film David Brent’s Life On The Road coming in at number three, according to the Official Charts Company.

Featuring songs including Equality Street and Lady Gypsy, the album is recorded entirely by Brent and his band Foregone Conclusion.

The singles chart sees competition between Major Lazer’s Cold Water and DJ Snake’s Let Me Love You, which are battling for the top spot.

Cold Water has the edge, but with a mere 167 combined chart sales more than its closest rival.

Justin Bieber will be happy with either result, as he is featured on both singles.